I use a eggbutt snaffle. But if I go out on the trails, I use either a curb bit or a 3-ring gag bit (Wonder bit). I also use the gag bit at horse shows if I am running barrels.
That is a tough question...it varies horse to horse and who rode them last. I will ride some in a bosal, my own gets ridden in a straight bit, english or western I am a firm believer in a full cheek snaffle, but I will ride in any old snaffle or a bit thats all rollers, my favorite I can't quite afford but borrow when I can is a myler, my horse and every horse I met loves them.
For bits, I have only ever ridden in a light snaffle and a tom thumb bit. Call me lazy, but I find that just riding in a halter works great for me.
We have lots of bits, but only 2 horses. For Maybel, i experiment a little with the bit i use but for the most part i use a curb bit. We also have plenty of snaffles that we have used on other horses.
On my sensitive 11 year old Of Track- Thoroughbred, I use a thin loose ring snaffle, that is jointed in the middle. On my 21 year old thoroughbred, i use two different bits. One for Hunter pleasure classes which is a jointed Eggbut snaffle and one for jumping is a happy mouth jointed pelham.
On my ex-police horse, a Tom Thumb snaffle. On my Mustang, a bosal. On the police horse I'm rehabilitating(had a rider with the worst hands I have ever seen that turned a soft mouth into a hammer mouth) an egg butt snaffle. I don't think a curb bit is a safe bit in some hands and, the officers I work with should NEVER have access to a curb.
I ride my 5 year old Hanovarion/TB cross in a snaffle. I trained her is a full face initally to help with turning, but in less than a year we were in a snaffle. Training (pushing forward) & equitation (soft hands, proper position) go a long way to solve "bit problems".
I Love Snaffles, I only ride and train with snaffles. I Also think that for every horse there is a bit, not just one bit for all. I ride a horse who goes best with a bitless, but I train my young clyde mare with D ring snaffle, with copper rollers. She plays with the bit with her tongue, and has a nice soft mouth. I also have a horse who needs a full cheek snaffle, and that works best. I just think it depends on the horses training, and life style that makes it accept certain bits, and it is really unnecesairy for people to switch to harsh bits, just because their horse doesnt listen -training or a vet check is usually all it takes. There could be a problem with the horses training, or teeth.
I favor a loose-ring French link. It is mild, fits most any horse, and I haven’t had one object to it yet. It’s also my answer to the charge that the single joint of the snaffle can pinch uncomfortably. I started with it in response to a TB that just could not wear a D-ring snaffle. It wouldn’t sit in her mouth correctly. For TBs off the racetrack, I will ride them in a snaffle with a flash noseband just until they learn not open their mouth and lean on the bit. I find a kimberwick is good for eventing cross country just to have it in reserve in case. However, my basic philosophy is that if you can’t keep basic control of a horse with a snaffle, then it’s not a horse I want to ride. That is not say that a different bit won’t be needed to achieve higher or more sophisticated levels i.e. double bridle, curb, etc.
My favorite is a thick three piece eggbut snaffle. It lays flatter on the tongue and doesn't jab the roof of the horse's mouth, the thickness makes it softer and the stability of the eggbut prevents pinching. Overall I've found this to be my favorite bit although I do ride one of my western horses in a tom thumb or curb and I also have one english horse that does best in a kimberwick but I at least started them all in the snaffle.